Former Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Denies Receiving USD 30,000 from Special Hajj Travel Agency
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has revealed allegations of USD 30,000 being given to Ishfah Abidal Aziz, alias Gus Alex, who served as a former special staff to ex-Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. Yaqut has denied any involvement in receiving the money.
“No (I didn’t receive the money),” Yaqut stated when asked if he had received the USD 30,000, following an examination at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Tuesday (31/3/2026).
Yaqut was not forthcoming about the alleged flow of funds. He has left legal proceedings to his lawyer.
Previously, the KPK named two new suspects in the corruption case concerning the distribution of additional Hajj quotas for 2023-2024. The new suspects are Ismail Adham (ISM), Operational Director of PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour), and Asrul Azis Taba (ASR), Chairman of the Kesthuri Association.
The KPK then disclosed allegations of fund transfers from Ismail Adham (ISM) to state officials. KPK Deputy for Enforcement and Execution Asep Guntur Rahayu stated that Ismail is suspected of giving USD 30,000 to Gus Alex, who was already a suspect.
Asep said Ismail also allegedly handed over USD 5,000 to Hilman Latief (HL), Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisation (Dirjen PHU) at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2024. Hilman remains a witness in this case.
“Suspect ISM is suspected of giving a sum of money to IAA amounting to USD 30,000, as well as to Mr HL, as Director General of Hajj and Umrah Organisation, Dirjen PHU, Ministry of Religious Affairs, USD 5,000 and SAR 16,000,” Asep said during a press conference at the KPK building in South Jakarta on Monday (30/3).
Asep stated that Maktour obtained unjust or illegal gains after providing the money. In 2024, Asep said, Maktour’s illegal gains reached Rp 27.8 billion.
“For their actions, PT Makassar Toraja (Maktour) obtained unjust or illegal gains in 2024 amounting to approximately Rp 27.8 billion; this is the result of the state financial loss calculation conducted by auditors,” Asep explained.
Meanwhile, suspect Asrul Azis Taba (ASR) is alleged to have given USD 406,000 to Gus Alex related to the additional Hajj quotas. Asep said the distribution of additional quotas for special Hajj has benefited eight PIHK (special Hajj travel agencies).
He mentioned that Gus Alex and Hilman represented Yaqut when receiving money from Ismail and Asrul. He said Yaqut had appointed them to handle matters for the PIHK.
“The receipt of a sum of money by IAA and HL from the suspects is suspected to be a representation of Mr YCQ, who was the Minister of Religious Affairs at the time, because colleagues should know that Mr IAA was a special staff member, and on several occasions Mr YCQ always stated that for any matters, go directly to Mr IAA,” he said.